The appointment of Chris Agutter at Worthing FC has had a mixed reaction across social media. A week after a play off final defeat confirmed they would remain in the National League South Agutter was named as the new boss.
With the Rebels having been under the interim control of Aarran Racine, Dean Hammond and Darren Budd since the February departure of Adam Hinshelwood to York, the trio  would have been in contention for the full gig after an impressive stint saw them rack up seven straight wins going into the play offs.
No doubt the club received numerous applications. It’s a very progressive club on and off the pitch with a new covered stand to be in place along the far touchline likely to be ready for the new season.
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The rise under Hinshelwood has been well documented which got the former Brighton & Hove Albion player his move north and into full time football. Ironically, he came to the club from Hastings Utd, are we treading the same path?
Of course that was the beginning of a second spell at the club for Hinshelwood but Agutter has the opportunity to make his own mark in a club that will give him a great chance to advance.
So, why is there an underwhelming feeling for some? No doubt many were expecting either a ‘name’ or someone with pedigree of that level given the stature of Worthing FC currently but there is no guarantee that works either way.
Sure there are plenty of good candidates out there, but there is a philosophy at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium which was laid out in the interviews, that would clearly have ruled some out. Budget would also have sent some home, not that it’s poor but more they stick to what they have and build with that.
What makes it a good appointment then? Well, Agutter’s previous experience is a similar pathway to Hinshelwood with an added 12 months at League One Stevenage Borough as First Team Coach, Worthing gave Hinsh a chance, albeit at a lower level but it shows some ambition than going after someone whose had various chances.
He’s another Sussex lad, others will point to a smaller contact book but two things to that, one he has the support of Racine and Hammond who will attract players and two what is wrong with getting some Sussex players in there and giving them a chance?
Some of the signings for me last summer weren’t the best, and look at how many moved on during the season or became bit part players. There is some good talent out there on the doorstep, I know, they formed part of my 78 game season just finished!
He’s used to his teams playing in front of a crowd, Hastings Utd averaged almost 1,400 (as per Football Web Pages), that won’t faze Agutter. A side that likes to play with pace out wide to feed the front men, three at the back and the ball on the deck, starting to sound a little familiar?
I could be miles out though, it could all go up in flames, but as someone who follows Worthing from afar, has friends who support them and those inside the club I know, this excites me more than seeing one of the usual suspects pitch up and it meanders along.
There will be a degree of pressure, two successive play off campaigns see the club as a big hitter, despite their infancy in this division and there will be one or two clubs expecting to make a better mark than last year.
An interesting summer across the game to come, players out of contract everywhere pushes the talent down with clubs holding smaller squads, one or two gems will make their way down, let’s hope they like a season or two on the coast in West Sussex.
